Hamilton grabs first win of the season in dramatic Baku race

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton secure his first victory of the season following dramatic restart. Valtteri Bottas suffered puncture in the final session, while the Pole man Sebastian Vettel lost three places at restart after locking up trying to overtake for the lead.

Red Bull’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo, last year’s winner in Baku and also in China two weekends ago, smashed into the back of team mate Max Verstappen in a lap 40 collision that ended the race for both of them.

“It was quite an emotional race. Valtteri did an exceptional job and deserved to win, Sebastian also did a great job so it feels a bit odd to be up here,” commented Hamilton on the podium.

“Definitely an untidy race for me.”

The Briton had started on the front row for the first time since he took pole in the Australian season-opener but never looked like winning until Vettel and Bottas were removed from the equation.

“It was such a crazy race, such an exciting race…to come out with a win, I feel incredibly grateful,” said Hamilton, who went to commiserate with Bottas afterwards.